We specialise in complex Rail and Power & Energy projects — work that requires both technical skill and a responsive, collaborative approach to civil engineering.
We understand that clients need more than just technical support; they need a partner they can rely on to adapt quickly, bring valuable experience to the table, and work well with others.
Let’s take a closer look at our company values – experience, agility, and collaboration – and why clients trust Whitfield Consulting Services (WCS) to deliver when it matters most.
Experience
When you bring WCS onto a project, you’re tapping into decades of industry-specific experience. Our team has worked on major Rail and Power & Energy projects across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, so we know the technical requirements and regulatory standards that must be met.
Our experienced professionals help clients navigate the unique challenges of civil infrastructure work, bringing insights and solutions that come from years of hands-on experience.
As our Senior Civil Engineer, Shane Govender, explains: “My role is to be the expert on hand when it comes to civil engineering design, and part of that is helping problem-solve for the client, and pre-emptively flagging potential challenges based on my, and the team’s, decades of experience with similar work.”
In an industry as regulated as civil engineering, this expertise is invaluable. “In one project, you may need to follow Building Regulations, while on another, Network Rail’s standards might be the primary focus,” adds Asa Whitfield, Managing Director of WCS. “We can guide clients on compliance, using our own design management process to make sure everything is documented and in line with project requirements.”
Our expertise has been called on by industry leaders including VolkerFitzpatrick, Hitachi Energy, Murphy, and UK Power Networks Services.
Read part one and part two of our new projects won series, which detail our involvement in a range of infrastructure schemes, including:
- Hornsea 3, set to become the world’s single largest offshore wind farm
- National Grid’s £750 million London Power Tunnels 2, which aims to secure the capital’s electricity supply
Plus, see our downloadable case study brochures for Power & Energy and Rail sectors, detailing projects including:
- The £2.9 billion line upgrade to London Underground’s Piccadilly Line
- Electricity supply for Welborne Garden Village, an entire new community of 6,000 homes
Agility
Our team is trained to respond quickly and adapt to unexpected challenges. When issues arise, we step in to solve them efficiently and our team is frequently on site to support clients.
“Agility and responsiveness underpin the way the business operates,” explains Asa. “If it’s urgent, we’ll try our best to be on site that day or the next and get started on unravelling any issues. Our experience means we understand problems and can come up with practical solutions.”
Shane adds, “In my experience, regular communication and visits to site have a huge impact and that is how I make sure my projects progress effectively, to time and on budget. Being connected and present means if any issue arises it can be identified and managed proactively.”
This commitment to responsiveness is why clients trust WCS; they know they’re in reliable hands. Learn more about Asa’s approach to leadership.
Collaboration
Infrastructure projects are rarely straightforward, especially when multiple teams, companies, and stakeholders are involved. We recognise that collaboration is essential to keep everything moving in the right direction. Our team is skilled at working alongside other engineering experts, contractors, and partner companies to achieve shared goals.
“Clear, consistent and effective communication is key to everything,” says Shane. “This is something that drew me to work at WCS, as its ethos of being agile, and collaborating, really aligns with my preferred ways of working – and I see communication as a vital part of both.”
Our supply chain contacts and partnerships with other SMEs demonstrate the power of collaboration. Together, we offer a full multidisciplinary design service, essential for rail projects, with the specialist expertise clients need.
“We’re well known for our collaborative approach – we believe this allows us to offer the best value and quality of solution,” says Jeremy Barnes, Technical Director at WCS.
“As demonstrated in our partnership with Andromeda Engineering, which is built on a shared commitment to high standards and recognising from our experience that together we can offer a full multidisciplinary engineering design service often required on projects, while also combined with depth of expertise you only get from working with specialists.”
Learn more about why specialist SMEs are ideally placed to deliver CP7 success.
Collaboration is also crucial in temporary works design and coordination. These temporary structures — essential to the safe and efficient construction of permanent works — require close coordination among all project stakeholders to manage potential health, safety, and timing risks effectively.
Our team members are frequently appointed as Temporary Works Coordinators on projects, where they take responsibility for ensuring effective collaboration between stakeholders to mitigate these risks. “It is critical to ensure that different contractors are talking to each other and that temporary works are properly coordinated across a project,” says Jeremy.
Learn more about our approach to temporary works design and coordination in infrastructure projects.
Building sustainable infrastructure
“We’re passionate about helping the UK and the Republic of Ireland reach their Net Zero goals,” says Asa.
“Civil engineering plays a critical role in creating more sustainable infrastructure, and we’re committed to doing our part. We believe our greatest impact lies in the projects we deliver: targeting those that promote sustainability and help to achieve Net Zero goals.”
“We know that contractors are under pressure to meet environmental standards and reduce the impact of their projects, and we’re here to help. Our team members are actively involved in developing eco-friendly construction practices that minimise environmental impact, from reducing waste to using energy-efficient techniques,” adds Asa.
Get to know some of our team members and their approach to sustainability:
- Building a Net Zero world and inspiring future generations: Meet Celine Mahfoud, Graduate Civil Engineer
- Mastering complex engineering projects: Meet Ricardo Villamil, Senior Civil Design Engineer
- Supporting the transition to sustainable construction and a circular economy
Cost-effective solutions in Rail and Power & Energy projects
Delivering infrastructure improvements in a cost-effective way is essential. Recent directives from Network Rail’s Control Period 7 (CP7) emphasise the importance of doing more with less, requiring a combination of agility, experience, and collaborative thinking to meet the high demands of modern projects without stretching budgets.
In the face of tight budgets, working with SMEs like us offers advantages, such as streamlined decision-making processes and minimal managerial overheads.
Reliable partnerships for complex Rail and Power & Energy projects
Success in civil engineering relies on partnerships with firms that understand the complexities of Rail and Power & Energy projects, can meet strict safety and regulatory standards, and are dedicated to high-quality work. Our core values of agility, experience, and collaboration form the foundation of every project.
Our quick responses, reliable expertise, and team-focused approach help clients achieve successful outcomes — on time, within budget, and with minimal stress.
If you’re looking for a dependable partner for your next infrastructure project, contact WCS to see how we can support you. Get in touch.
